Lady Steers Improve Their Record To 22-0

By Nicky Romero
For the Mountain Mail

MAGDALENA -- The undefeated and No. 2 ranked Magdalena Lady Steers continue to win by big scoring margins.
They added three more wins to their record improving to 22-0 overall and 10-0 in their 6-1A district.
They stand alone in first place in district, only one game ahead of Gallup Catholic High School.
Magdalena first rolled past Temple-Baptist Academy (0-8, 2-14) 81-21 on Feb. 11.
Magdalena jumped out to a 33-6 lead at the end of the first quarter. They led 53-10 at halftime and outscored Temple-Baptist 28-11 in the second half.
Magdalena had three players in double-figures---Camille Mansell (19 points), Nicole Hardy (15 points), and Kameron Armstrong (13 points). The highest scorer for Temple-Baptist was Naomi Goldsmith with 8 points.
On Saturday, Feb. 13, Magdalena was at home and defeated Pine Hill High School (3-7, 5-14). The final score was 79-25.
Pine Hill suited up only eight players to Magdalena's 14. Magdalena's bench depth, unselfish passing and scoring proved too much for Pine Hill to overcome. Pine Hill's 2-3 zone was ineffective, especially against inside player Nicole Hardy who scored 21 of her team-high 27 points in the first half.
Coach Wally Sanchez talked about Hardy, “Nicole is a four year starter. She's always been a scoring threat. This year her defense has gotten better and her passing has got 100 percent better, which makes everyone on the team better.”
“In year's past, teams would focus on Nicole. But now there are two other people in town, that's Camille Mansell and Jennifer Matai. The days that you can scout us and say let's stop Hardy is over.”
Pine Hill scored the first two points of the game. Magdalena than answered with a 12-0 scoring spree and never looked back. Magdalena led at halftime 50-16. Magdalena than outscored their opponent in the second half by a 29-9 margin.
Eleven of the fourteen Magdalena players scored points. Along with Hardy's 27 points, Camille Mansell scored 15 points. The highest scorer for Pine Hill was Jessie Gaddy with 8 points.
Magdalena's third game was played on Tuesday, Feb. 16 at home against the To'Haijiilee Lady Warriors. They defeated To'Haijiilee 68-26.
Magdalena played Thursdayt against Menaul High School. They end their regular season at home on Saturday, Feb. 20 against Gallup Catholic High School, who is in second place in district. This game will also be “Senior Night” for eight of the Magdalena players. Game time is at 2 p.m.

Pictured: The Magdalena cheerleaders. Photo by Nicky Romero.

Lady Steers Improve Their Record To 22-0